Last Reviewed:November 29, 2023 by Gabrielle Marks
Can You Exercise After a Chemical Peel?
You should not exercise directly after a chemical peel. A chemical peel is designed to remove layers of skin through the body’s natural peeling process to reveal the fresh skin beneath. Sweating through exercise may cause the skin to peel prematurely, leaving you with red, sore areas that have not yet fully healed. [1]
Jump Ahead
- How Long Should You Wait to Exercise Following a Chemical Peel?
- What Exercises Are Acceptable Following a Chemical Peel?
- Additional Precautions to Take After a Chemical Peel
- Resources
How Long Should You Wait to Exercise Following a Chemical Peel?
The answer to this question depends on the type of exercise that you are considering. Since heavy sweating is the issue with a chemical peel, you will want to wait several days before you engage in exercise that makes you sweat. You will also want to avoid exercise that produces heavy sweating the day of the peel. If you are considering light exercise that will not cause sweating, you may be able to resume these types of activities the next day. Call your healthcare provider before attempting any exercise. [2]
What Exercises Are Acceptable Following a Chemical Peel?
So, what exactly is considered light exercise? METs measure activity levels. One MET is defined as the energy expenditure for sitting quietly, which, for the average adult, approximates 3.5 ml of oxygen uptake per kilogram of body weight per minute. [3]
Light physical activity includes casual walking, biking (less than 5mph), stretching, light weight training, dancing slowly, light housework, fishing, and golf (using a cart). [4]
The “talk test” is an easy measure of physical activity level. In general, with light-intensity activities, you should be able to talk easily without being out of breath. With moderate-intensity activities, you can talk but not sing. You must pause for breath with vigorous-intensity activities when saying even a few words. [5]
Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking on any physical activity.
Additional Precautions to Take After a Chemical Peel
Do: Follow your physician’s instructions to the letter. Even if you are not experiencing tightness or discomfort, use any ointments prescribed as a precautionary measure. A chemical peel is a wound to the skin and can become infected if not treated properly.
Do: Keep your face hydrated. Allowing the face to dry out can pull on the healing tissue and cause redness or irritation. Keeping the face well-hydrated will also keep you more comfortable.
Do: Use sunscreen. Always. The newly exposed skin is more susceptible to sun damage.
Do: Apply cool compresses if you experience any discomfort or pain. Make sure that all items that touch your face are clean.
Do: Attempt to keep facial expressions to a minimum. The skin should have very little movement during the healing process.
Do Not: Get your face too wet in the shower. When you wash your hair, tilt your head backward.
Do Not: Wash your face vigorously. After washing gently, pat dry with a soft, clean towel.
Do Not: Expose the treated area to direct sunlight for 4-6 weeks following the surgery.
Do Not: Pick or pull at peeling skin. Removing skin prematurely may expose areas that are not fully healed and may result in redness or even scarring.
[6] [7]
Resources
- [1] Inland Institute – “Chemical Peel Post Operative Instructions“
- [2] UnionDerm – “FAQ for Chemical Peels“
- [3] Kansas State University – “Examples of Physical Activities by Intensity”
- [4] ((Kansas State University – “Examples of Physical Activities by Intensity”
- [5] Centers for Disease Control – “Measuring Physical Activity Intensity“
- [6] WebMD – “Chemical Peel“
- [7] Renaissance Plastic Surgery – “The Do’s and Don’ts of Taking Care of Your Skin After a Chemical Peel“
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